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"New" Equipment and Materials Give Science Lab a Giant Boost

June 07, 2010

The fall semester is still months away, but science faculty at
the main campus are already thinking about the laboratory courses
for the upcoming academic year with glee.

Their delight is fueled
by an unexpected inheritance, not of cash, but of long sought-after
laboratory testing equipment and materials. Two assistant
professors of biology, Iain Duffy and William Ellis, located a
federal government source of recycled equipment available at no
cost. In consultation with Linda Bergen-Losee, biology instructor
and lab director, the pair selected the items most suitable for
Saint Leo’s needs. Now, the science teachers and plant operations
staffers including Roger Massey are at work arranging the contents
of the lab to make the best use of the new devices.

While the names of the most highly prized pieces––DNA analyzers,
an RT-PCR machine, a microplate reader, a densitometer––are
unfamiliar to most people, the words signify progress and
possibility to Duffy. The use of a DNA analyzer is particularly
important, he explained. Students will be able to test organic
materials and discover key attributes of the genetic material of
the samples. Many potentially significant student experiments and
research projects cannot proceed without this step, he said:
“Everything stops at DNA sequencing.”

The list of activities now possible goes on and on. Students can
use the RT-PCR, as scientists do, for viewing DNA found in samples
and for making certain calculations. Densitometers are used to
analyze proteins. Microplate readers can detect minute levels of
biological, chemical, or physical changes in tested samples. Duffy
and Ellis also found less complicated, but also useful, pieces of
equipment including shaking water baths that can be calibrated to
certain settings, and drying ovens that remove the water from
biological samples. Every item is a tool that serves an important
purpose in contemporary scientific inquiries.

Both Duffy and Ellis recalled ways recent graduates would have
employed these devices, had they had been available, in directed
and senior projects. Returning and new students now have that
advantage, which Duffy hopes the students will use to conduct
studies that merit publication and impress graduate schools. He
also sees advantages for students who might seek employment after
graduation as laboratory technicians in research or medical
settings: “Being able to show that they have experience, and are
comfortable using complex technology such as the DNA analyzer or
the RT-PCR, would certainly be an advantage to them when applying
for positions.” Duffy and Ellis never expected to find so much
valuable equipment––or to have such a memorable time.

All the material comes from a program run by the National
Institutes of Health. Ellis discovered through word of mouth from
other scientists that NIH has a donation program for surplus
materials and older-generation equipment no longer used in its
laboratories. Donations are for public agencies and not-for-profit
institutions only, as all the goods were purchased with taxpayer
dollars. Organizations that are interested in seeing the
merchandise have to send employees to look through the inventory,
which is stored in a warehouse outside Washington, D.C., with
limited hours.

Duffy and Ellis got the OK to travel in early May, but decided
to keep their expectations in check for fear of being
disappointed.

When they arrived at the warehouse, they couldn’t believe their
luck in finding such bounty. “We were like kids in a toy store,”
Duffy said. Also, the NIH staffers were incredibly gracious to the
newcomer-shoppers, he added. The two made frequent cell phone calls
back to Bergen-Losee at the lab to consult on specific items. Hours
later, they wrapped up what might be called their “shopping”
list.

The list was so long that they had to come back with a van two
days later to pick up the contents, and then drove 20 hours
overnight back to campus. Bergen-Losee recalled she was stunned
when she saw the van and contents. “They said they had a lot of
stuff, but I was still amazed.”

Mathematics and Science Department Chair Siamack Bondari is also
impressed. He gives the assistant professors high marks for their
accomplishment and for modeling the university core values so well.
" There was no guarantee that the trip would be a success,” Bondari
noted. “Bill and Iain put a lot of time and effort into the idea
and carefully timed and coordinated the trip. The result was a
great success and surpassed all expectations. Their contributions
to the department and Saint Leo University and their sense of
community and responsible stewardship are greatly appreciated.”

Pictured: From left, Assistant Professor Iain Duffy, Professor
Siamack Bondari, Instructor and Laboratory Director Linda
Bergen-Losee, and Assistant Professor William Ellis with new
equipment students will be able to use to analyze DNA samples.